Several Paralympic athletes over the years have competed in both the Olympics and Paralympic Games, but what does this mean for the value of the Paralympic movement?
The Paralympics is the jewel in the crown for disabled athletes, the culmination of hard work and big dreams.
A feat that may seem astounding to some, and perhaps unfair to others, especially when you consider that the Olympics is not an option for most disabled athletes, denoting the point of why the Paralympics exists. And while there is a certain pride in the achievement of athletes like Tapper and Alexandre, it is a remarkable achievement, the question must be asked, does the "double double" devalue the Paralympics?Tapper and Alexandre are not the first to achieve the "double double" feat; there is a rich history of Paralympians competing in the Olympics stretching back to the 1980s.
Since Fairhall, many other athletes have taken on both Games across a multitude of sports, including South Africa's Natalie du Toit for swimming, and notorious track runner, Oscar Pistorius.
There is space for both Games and for non-disabled and disabled athletes, the Paralympics is proving this with the success we are seeing in Paris, with the athletes, ticket sales and media coverage.
Paralympic Games Paris Paralympics Paris Olympics Melissa Tapper Bruna Alexandre Neroli Fairhall
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